Union County SFWA
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- dnr.illinois.gov(618) 833-5175
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Union County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Union County, about 12 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Fees and passes
Free: 'The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) does not charge an Entrance Fee to any state owned or operated land.' Camping, cabins and shelters are fee-based.
Statewide fee rule from Illinois's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ExploreMoreIL (IDNR camping, cabins, group camps and shelters)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in Grassy Lake from March 1 to October 15. Outboard motor size is limited to 10 horsepower or less. Grassy Lake is a shallow, fertile bottomland lake with catfish the primary sport fish attraction.
Excellent early spring and late summer bluegill and crappie fishing exists in Lyerla Lake. Fishing is permitted from March 1 to October 15, with outboard motor size limited to 10 horsepower or less.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Union County:
•
Parking - The site office has a paved parking lot with an accessible parking space and ramp to the concrete sidewalk. The shop parking lot, check station, and hunter parking lots are gravel, and they can be loose and uneven at times. There is a ramp into the park office.
•
Restrooms - There are accessible restrooms in the office.
•
Service animals are welcome; however, there are no outdoor water fountains.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 2755 Refuge Road
Jonesboro, IL 62952 - Nearest town
- Cape Girardeau — about 12 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.3920, -89.3760
- Phone
- (618) 833-5175
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Illinois State Parks (IDNR state parks and recreation areas) — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- IDNR All Parks list (AEM content-fragment list JSON) + each unit's landing page for official title, coordinates, address, phone
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology